Personally I believe the short barrel shotgun to be the best single tool for HD. However I think it is a part of the overall system at my house. First is the EWD (early warning device) which is my female black lab. Then is the EDD (early deterent device) my big male lab. If you live through him which is not likely. You then have to contend with myself and the STI full of 230gr .45acp and the BPS full of #4 buck. The woman of the house has a 642 with Gold dot 135gr +p and several speedloaders. After that the Bushmaster and DPMS LR308 come to into play.